Check-hook



(No Model.)

W. A.. WHITNEY..

GHEGK HOOK. Y

No. 561,248. Patented June 2, 1896.

ANDREW B.GRANAM. PHU'U-UNUWASIIINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM A. VHITNEY, OF BYRON, ILLINOIS.

CHECK-HOOK.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,248, dated June 2, 1896. Application filed May 23, 1895. Serial No. 550,447. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. WHITNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Byron, in the county of Ogle and State 'of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Check- Hook, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to improvements in that class of check-hooks having rockers or pivoted catches by means of which the checkrc rein is secured against accidental displacement when properly engaged with the checkhook, and has for its object to simplify, cheapen, and render more efficient this class of harness attachments. So far as I am aware the rockers or pivoted catches of checkhooks as heretofore constructed are held in looked relation by separate and independent springs or by the tension of the checkrein, and the latter class of devices are undesirable, inasmuch as the jerking movements of the checkrein frequently result in the loosening and disengagement of the checkrein from the check-hook, and in that class of devices which require separate and independent springs the construction is more or less cumbersome and expensive and the springs themselves frequently give way or present projecting portions, which not only mar the appearance of the device but frequently chafe the harness and result in injury to the hands when engaging orremoving the checkrein from the check-hook. All these objectionable features are obviated by the present invention, and the check-hook is constructed with especial reference to be used in connection with single or double harness.

The improvement consists of the novel features which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, specified in the claims, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the checkhook complete in its appointments for use with double harness. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same as it will appear for use in connection with single harness. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the rocker or catch in position to admit of the engagement of the checkrein with the hook. Fig. 4: is a 5o detail view of the hook having the rocker or catch detached. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the rocker or catch. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the detachable loop.

The check-hook comprises a shank 1 and a bill 2, and in general appearance is similar to the ordinary check-hook. A stud 3 is formed with or provided on the inner side of the shank 1 and has the rocker or catch 4E pivotally connected therewith.

In order to adapt the check-hook for single or double harness, the loop 5 is detachably connected therewith, and for this purpose said loop has an extension 6, which is adapted to be fitted to the end of the shank l, and in order to provide a neat and finished joint between the extension 6 and shank 1 the latter is recessed on its upper side, as lshown at 7, to receive the extension 6, whereby the latter comes flush With and conforms to the surface of the shank 1 on all sides, and the loop 5 is secured to the shank l in any preferred manner, preferably by the same fastening 8 usually provided for securing the check-hook to the harness-saddle.

The rocker or catch 4 comprises curved members 9 and 10, which extend from a common point l1,which is cleft to receive the stud 3 and which is pivotally connected with said stud .by means of the pivot 12. The members 9 and 10 curve on symmetrical lines and in the same direction and are about the same length, and the member l0 normally occurs or extends across the space between the shank and the bill, so as to form a bar or lock to secure the checkrein against accidental displacement from the check-hook after being properly engaged therewith. The member 9 extends about half-Way around the bight formed between the shank and bill and is fitted in a recess 13, formed in the inner lower side of the bight or end of the check-hook 14, and serves as a stop to limit the forward movement of the member 10, and at the same time provides a wear-plate to compensate for the rubbing and friction of the check-hook,thereby preventing the weakening of the latter by the wearing action of the checkrein. l

The bill 2 is elastic and is constructed so as to form a spring of itself to engage with the end of the member 10 and retain the IOO rocker or catch 4 in locked relation, thereby securing the checkrein from accidental displacement after being engaged with the checkhook. W'hen it is required to place the cheekrein in engagement with the check-hook, the rocker or catch mu st be drawn back with sufiicient force so as to spring the bill 2 from engagement with the member 10, and after the checkrein is placed in the angle between the curved members 9 and 10 the rocker or catch is again pressed forward, thereby securing the cheekrein between the bght or end 14 of the check-hook and the member 10, as will be readily understood. The end of the member 10 comes just inside of the bight 14 and a line passing at right angles to the shank 1 and through the pivot 12. Hence it will be seen that the normal tendency of the member 10,when subjected to the tension of the springbill 2, is to force the said member 10 forward or toward the bight 14C, and this tendency is eounteraeted by the curved member 9 engaging with the bight 14, as will be readily eomprehended.

The invention is applicable to different patterns and makes of check-hooks. Therefore it is to be understood that in the embodiment of the same various changes in the form, proportion, andthe minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacricing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described is claimed as new is l. A check-hook, eomprisin a shank and a spring-bill, in combination with a catch, or rocker, pivoted at one end to the said shank and extending across the space between the shank and the bill and engaged at its opposite end by and bearing against the springbill a short distance from its end and retained in working position thereby, and said catch having a portion extending forwardly of its pivotal end and engaged with the shank to limit the forward movement of the catch or the invention, what rocker, substantially in the manner set forth, for the purpose described.

2. A check-hook comprising a spring-bill and having a rocker, or pivoted catch, held normally closed or in locked relation by engagement therewith of the said spring-bill, said rocker, or catch, comprising two curved members, the forward one of which engages with the bight of the check-hook and forms a stop and a wear-plate, substantially as set forth.

3. A check-hook formed with a spring-bill and having a recess in the inner lower side of its bight, and a rocker, or catch, comprising curved members, one of which fits into the said recess and the other extending across the space between the bill and the shank, and engaged bythe spring-bill, by means of which the said rocker, or catch, is :normally held closed, substantially as set forth for the pur pose described.

4. The herein shown and described checkhook, comprising a shank having its rear end recessed and formed with a springbill, and having a recess in the inner lower side of its bight, and having a stud on the inner side of the shank, a loop having an extension to snugly lit the recessed end of the shank and detachably connected with the latter, and a rocker, or pivoted catch, having a cleft end to receive the said stud to which it has pivotal connection, said rocker, or catch, comprising similarly-curved members, one of which enters the recessed bight and the other pressed upon by the spring-bill, whereby the rocker, or catch, is normally held closed, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim. the foregoing as my own I have hereto ailixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

XVILTJAM A. lVlll'lNllY.

lVitiiesses:

CLARENCE R. HART, LrnAN Il. SMrrn. 

